I can't say anything about either company other than I wish I would have been better informed and done my homework more so I would have gone with Hammer. I decided to go with the Hammer 88" big torque kit from Zipper's Performance based on the advice of the parts manager at the shop who used to use Zipper's when he drag raced bikes earlier in his life. I must say I am extremely disappointed. I spent over 6 grand on this including labor costs and have had issue after issue since I got the bike back.

First after install, the base gaskets were leaking. Took it back to correct the issue. She stayed in the shop for a month. Got it back and 1 hour outta the shop an adjustable pushrod came loose and caused a valve to be hammered on and bent by the piston in the rear cylinder.

Towed it back to the shop. Heads were sent back to Zipper's for repair and inspection. Bike was in the shop for 2.5 months. Got it back and rode it passed the break in period then really ripped on it to feel the power. Huge cloud of smoke outta the exhaust. After venting the engine externally, I found that oil was puking out through the rear breather and dumping into the rear cylinder which was causing the smoke clouds.

Well it has been 3 months now in the shop and the top end is back at Zipper's for the second time and has been for going on 3 weeks now. Oh, I was also told by Zipper's to expect well over 100hp and torque outta this kit and was estimated conservatively it should be around 115-120 hp and 110-115 torque. It has not come close to those numbers. The one and only dyno run it got after install measured 97hp and 94 torque. Not bad but not what they advertised nor what they told me to expect. They even told me to just keep riding it and rig up a catch can that I can empty every so many miles. This thing would need to be like 2 quarts in volume to be able to hold the amount of oil that was dumping out without overflowing. To say the least that was not gonna happen and I was shocked to hear that come from the Dan at Zipper's. Seems like Dan is a popular name for the guys in charge at these places... Anyway.

Save a few grand and go with the 1250 kit from Hammer and get the perfection and performance you expect outta a kit like this. From what I see and read, they really are constantly working on improvements and developments with their products. Don't make the mistake I did and end up not riding because your bike is living in a shop more than it is operational. It seems like Zipper's got too big for their britches and have lost the quality control they once had which built up their reputation. Or maybe it was just the luck of the draw and I got the one kit out of the thousands they supposedly sell every year that was not right in some way. Sorry for the rant, i just want to make sure no one makes the same mistake I did by choosing Zipper's Performance or at the very least, use extreme caution if you are considering their products.

 

Hammer does not whine on the forums like the other guy does. Just can't go with a whiner.

 

I got a hammer EFI to carb intake on my 04 1200 (has a 08 1200 motor in it.) with hammer .570 cams and a good 2-1 pipe. Hsr42 and hammer A/C. If I do decide hammer 1250/1275 kit. It will be hammer all the way!

Makes 83hp and 81ft tq. My Dyno guy was supper impressed!!!!

 

Sounds like you guys better settle this on the dyno and dragstrip or maybe high noon...

 

Your nose seems to be growing Pinocchio.

 

deleted.

 

This thread has undeniably run off course, but that is routine around forums, for all manner of reasons. You have enough info in here and around the rest of the Sporty section to make up your mind. If not then toss a coin.

 

What is your budget and power goals. Hammer has some really nice set ups on their site. Ball park power levels and prices. Excellent information there. If you want some hard core thundering power their 110hp kit rocks. Still reliable,street able and fun. I have many friends with this set up. Don't want spend a lot, look at their 90 and 100 hp kits. All of them are proven performance packages. I've tried them all. They gear towards efi bikes, which is good because the
They've been around since 07, but all of their stuff works on 03 and older xl's too. A huge win win for Xl owners. I apologize for getting off track. But a business owner caught in a lie is interesting to say the lease. Good luck man

 

This thread has been edited to remove an argument. If it starts again, action will be taken against the perp. It's fine to discuss the merits of certain products, but when a vendor jumps in to disrupt things, that's not going to be tolerated.

 

I have done business with Hammer. They are a great bunch of guys. They have helped out when they didn't have to. I am a satisfied customer.